Monday, December 30, 2013

It's Monday! What are you reading? 12-30-13

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

Woa. 2014 is almost upon us. Wasn't it just 2007? Like, how is it already almost 2014?

I had quite a productive final reading week of 2013. I finished 101 novel-length books and I am only a few picture books away from having 500 books total read for the year. I will make the 500 mark before midnight on January 1st. :)

Speaking of books I read in 2013, here is my list of favorites for the year.


Last week I reviewed:

 Every Day After by Laura Golden
Recipe for Adventure: Paris! by Giada DeLaurentiis


I also finished reading:

Sold by Patricia McCormick
Sold is both beautiful and horrifying at the same time. Told in sparse prose, almost as if its a novel in verse, Lakshmi's story of being sold into prostitution at the age of 13 will haunt me for a long time. 


I finished listening to:

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban
There were things I both liked and disliked about this book, but ultimately it was a satisfying listen. It kept me from being completely bored to tears while my husband and I painted our home office last week. :)


I'm currently reading:

Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan


I'm currently listening to:

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Oh my goodness! I'm not that far into this but I'm already spellbound. Kirby Larson's writing is simply exquisite.


Current giveaway (ends tomorrow):

Pug Hill by Alison Pace


Other posts from last week:
Why you should travel/study/work abroad
Making a case for the Mockingjay soundtrack
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15 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 30, 2013 at 1:35 AM

    Best of luck with reaching 500! Giada's series is definitely one of those things I have to imagine myself as someone else so I can find something good to say about it when I try to sell it at our store.

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    1. Beth S.December 30, 2013 at 1:20 PM

      That is so true about Giada's book. For a kid that loves cooking and baking, maybe I'd recommend it, but the writing and the story was just awful.

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  2. AnonymousDecember 30, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    Congratulations on reaching your 2013 reading goal (almost!) I am sure you will be finished by the stroke of midnight! I really enjoyed seeing what books you had on your favorites of the year! I had a few of the same on mine. From your list this week, I am most interested in reading Hattie Big Sky and Every Day After. Thanks for your great posts and happy reading in 2014!

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  3. Gigi McAllisterDecember 30, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    Hattie Big Sky is a favorite of mine. Pug Hill looks too cute! One of my regrets is that I did not get to Every Day After this year. I still have it and plan to read it though. Happy New Year!

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  4. Linda BDecember 30, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    Congratulations on reaching that huge goal-what a year you've had! I've heard Golden Boy is very good, but heartbreaking-definitely want to read it. I loved the Hattie books-so glad you're enjoying them! Happy New Year!

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  5. Lee Ann SpillaneDecember 30, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    I love that you will hit 500 picture books! Great reading there. How are you enjoying Golden Boy? It's in my TBR stack too.

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    1. Beth S.December 30, 2013 at 1:21 PM

      Thanks! :)

      I think I'm actually going to abandon GOLDEN BOY. It's just not speaking to me. I love the premise and the idea of the story but it's just not holding my interest.

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  6. Alyson BeecherDecember 30, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    Oh I didn't realize that Giada had a book for children?! I will have to check it out. And I loved Hattie. Let me know what you think of Golden Boy.

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    1. Beth S.December 30, 2013 at 1:23 PM

      You will be vastly disappointed with Giada's books. Just sayin'

      As much as I love the premise and idea behind GOLDEN BOY, I'm just not connecting with it. I think I might end up abandoning it.

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  7. Mrs. BeckerDecember 30, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Oh my goodness! Giada has a book for children? Awesome! I added lots to my TBR thanks to you. :o) Happy New Year!!!

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  8. Elisabeth EllingtonDecember 30, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    I'm still entering my 2013 reads into Goodreads--NO CLUE why I didn't keep up with it all year. I am hoping by tomorrow afternoon to know how many books I've read this year! I need to get my hands on Every Day After--I've read so many good reviews of it. Good luck getting to your 500!

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  9. GatheringBooksDecember 30, 2013 at 5:58 PM

    I know I have to read Kirby Larson's novels soon. I've been seeing Hattie for quite awhile now but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. SOLD created quite a bit of brouhaha during the Asian Festival of Children's Content a few years back here in Singapore. One speaker avidly recommended it while another felt it was not a fair portrayal of the Muslim youth experience. I know I'd have to read it to experience the book myself. Thanks for sharing all this.

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  10. Carrie GelsonDecember 30, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    Isn't Hattie amazing? Loved both of the Hattie stories. Want to get them for my daughter. Are you liking Golden Boy? Cover is haunting.

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  11. Kellee Moye (@kelleemoye)December 30, 2013 at 11:31 PM

    Oh man, Sold. That is a book I will never forget. The Queen of the Water is another similarly haunting book.
    Enjoy Hattie and I look forward to hearing about Golden Boy.

    Happy new year and happy reading!

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  12. Mrs.AlanizDecember 31, 2013 at 1:31 AM

    Well from your post I've learned that Giada DeLaurentiis writes children's books! I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing your reading and congrats on reaching your goal, Beth! Great job!

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